And They're Off ...

Always had a soft spot for the Morris Minor, especially the commercial variants. So much so that I actually bought one back in the Eighties with a view to restoring it, but sadly it wasn't to be.

Anyway, I came across this rather tasty looking one at a local car show a couple of years ago and thought it worthy of some extra attention in the processing room.

Closed van and open flat-bed versions of the Minor were built from 1953 until the end of production. They were designed for commercial use with small businesses, although many were also used by larger corporations. Van versions were particularly popular with the General Post Office, and in fact that's what this one was described as when it was advertised for sale recently, an old Post Office van.

Interestingly, BMC's policy back in the day was to provide both Austin and Morris with complete commercial vehicle ranges. These featured Austin badging and the Austin 'crinkle-cut' radiator grille but were otherwise identical to the standard Minor commercials, and were sold as the Austin 6cwt and Austin 8cwt which might explain why what the records say is an Austin 8cwt van now purports to be a Moggie.

Whatever, be it a Moggie or an Austin, it certainly appealed to me.